WORDS TO LEAD BY - Open Minded

We continue to share lessons from Wally Adamchik's book titled Construction Leadership from A to Z.

His book explores "26 Words to Lead By."

This session's word is OPEN MINDED

OPEN MINDED

Open Minded - having or showing a mind receptive to new ideas or arguments; unprejudiced; unbigoted; impartial

"There exist limitless opportunities in every industry. Where there is an open mind, there will always be a frontier." - Charles F. Kettering

Leaders need information to make decisions. If you don't have an open mind, you can't get all the information you need to make decisions. Sometimes leaders think they already have all the answers. Years of experience and expertise will do that to you.

Noted expert on human behavior, Abraham Maslow, observed, "The novice can often see things the expert overlooks."

Other reasons to be open minded are to foster creativity in your people and to demonstrate respect. If you don't give respect, you certainly won't get it. Employees want to be heard; they want to know that their opinions matter. Being open minded is about being receptive to new ideas and new information.

If leadership is about change for better results, then being receptive can only help. The pace of change is rapid, and it is impossible for any one person to have a grip on all that is going on.

You can cultivate an open mind.

"Above all, remember that the most important thing you can take anywhere is not a Gucci bag or French-cut jeans; it's an open mind." - Gail Rubin Bereny

Open Minded Jumpstart

• Read something different.
• Do something different.
• Drive home using a different route.
• Look for points of agreement - not disagreement. Listen more

...Sure, I have an open mind...as long as you do it my way!

Have you heard that before? Surely not today, and, most certainly, not at work...Ha!

Many old industries, such as construction, have a very difficult time trying something new. We have always done it this way, and it works. Well, I am here to tell you that today is not like yesterday and never will be again. We must be willing to try new ways - utilize today's techniques and technology. Ask others doing a different job. Ask others on a different crew. Ask others in a different industry.

Just ask!

Let's choose to have an open mind today and every day!

Donald G. Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc